Djibouti: Information on the current situation on the Front for the Restoration of Unity and Democracy (FRUD)
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 April 1994 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | DJI17218.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Djibouti: Information on the current situation on the Front for the Restoration of Unity and Democracy (FRUD), 1 April 1994, DJI17218.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ac8110.html [accessed 17 September 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
For basic information on the Restoration of Unity and Democracy (FRUD), please refer to the attachment from Political Handbook of the World 1992. Also, please refer to pages 951 to 955 of The Europa World Year Book 1993, and pages 75 to 79 of Country Reports 1993. Country Reports 1993 and The Europa World Year Book 1993 are currently available at your Regional Documentation Centre. According to Reuters, a Djibouti human rights group has accused the government of human rights violations since it started its offensive against FRUD last summer (14 Mar. 1994). The government of President Hassan Gouled Aptidon has stated its willingness to start a "reconciliation dialogue" with FRUD as soon as possible (ibid.).
In a report of 31 January 1994, the BBC related that the gendarmerie arrested four leaders of the Front Uni de l'Opposition Djiboutinenne (FUOD), which is made up of a number of "illegal opposition groups" including FRUD. In a recent meeting of the opposition coalition leaders in Addis Ababa between 19 and 23 January 1994, FUOD issued a communique calling on the coalition members to intensify the struggle against the government (ibid.). The communique recognized that the only way to establish peace and democracy was armed struggle against the government, which it described as a dictatorship (ibid.). The BBC information is corroborated by The Indian Ocean Newsletter (29 Jan. 1994, 5).
Agence France Presse (AFP) explains that the FUOD coalition includes FRUD, the Democratic Forces Front, the Djibouti National Movement, the Movement for Salvation and Reconstruction and the Social-Democratic Union (27 Jan. 1994). The source notes further that FRUD rebels have reported renewed fighting against government forces (ibid.). In a 25 December 1993 report, AFP stated that FRUD and the government had exchanged prisoners. The FRUD prisoners including 27 government soldiers, were captured in the period since 1991. The government released 69 people including 29 FRUD guerillas and 40 Ethiopians suspected of helping the rebels (ibid.).
APS Diplomatic News Service also notes that FRUD forces have regrouped after a series of setbacks at the hands of government forces (21 Feb. 1994). The source notes that fighting has broken out in recent weeks between government and FRUD forces (ibid.). The French government has made unsuccessful efforts to mediate a solution between the two sides (ibid.). For additional information on the current situation of the FRUD, please refer to the attachments.
This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.
References
Agence France Presse (AFP). 27 January 1994. "Djibouti Rebels Warn US Ambassador." (NEXIS)
. 15 December 1993. "Former Government Leader and 13 Other Prisoners Released." (NEXIS)
Arab Press Service Organization (APS). 21 February 1994. "East Africa Is Again on the Verge of an Explosion and No One Will Help." (NEXIS)
BBC Summary of World Broadcasts. 31 January 1994. "Defence Minister Confirms Arrest of Four Opposition Leaders." (NEXIS)
The Indian Ocean Newsletter [Paris]. 29 January 1994. No. 608. "Djibouti: Armed Conflict Splits Opposition."
Reuters. 14 March 1994. BC Cycle. "Djibouti President Offers Talks with Rebels." (NEXIS)
Attachments
Agence France Presse (AFP). 27 January 1994. "Djibouti Rebels Warn US Ambassador." (NEXIS)
. 24 February 1994. "Two Soldiers Killed in Rebel Ambush." (NEXIS)
. 15 December 1993. "Former Government Leader and 13 Other Prisoners Released." (NEXIS)
Arab Press Service Organization (APS). 21 February 1994. "East Africa Is Again on the Verge of an Explosion and No One Will Help." (NEXIS)
. 13 December 1993. "Djibouti: Defense Production vs. Procurement." (NEXIS)
BBC Summary of World Broadcasts. 31 January 1994. "Defence Minister Confirms Arrest of Four Opposition Leaders." (NEXIS)
The Economist [London]. 11 December 1993. "Djibouti; Another War." (NEXIS)
The Indian Ocean Newsletter [Paris]. 19 March 1994. No. 615. "Djibouti: War Growls on in the North," p. 4.
. 29 January 1994. No. 605. "Djibouti: Armed Conflict Splits Opposition," p. 5.
. 8 January 1994. No. 602. "Djibouti: Military Reprisals in the North," p. 3.
. 11 December 1993. "Djibouti: Accentuate the Positive...," p. 3.
Inter Press Service (IPS). 7 March 1994. Lucy Johnson. "Human Rights-Women: Victims of Vicious and Negligent Governments." (NEXIS)
Political Handbook of the World 1992. 1992. Edited by Arthur S. Banks. Binghamton, NY: CSA Publications, pp. 207-211.
Reuters. 14 March 1994. BC Cycle. "Djibouti President Offers Talks with Rebels." (NEXIS)
. 3 January 1994. BC Cycle. "Rebels Wound Five Policemen in Northern Djibouti." (NEXIS)
United Press International (UPI). 2 December 1993. BC Cycle. "UPI Spotlight Red Cross Announces Djibouti Prisoner Swap." (NEXIS)